Sawdust Art Festival

The festival runs regular promotions and discounts. For example, California residents from various counties may enter for free on certain days, and sometimes single-day tickets are discounted on the festival’s website. – Emily Hochberg

About the Sawdust Art Festival

Each year, the Sawdust Art Festival brings together hundreds of artists in Laguna Beach for exhibitions, demos, and classes. It’s a non-juried event designed to support local artists and entertain and educate the local community.

Event Overview

The festival runs multiple events throughout the year, attracting 200,000 visitors annually who come to admire a wide variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, photography, woodwork, sculpture, glass, printmaking, and more. During the summer, the festival runs from June through August.

Seasonal Highlights

During the summer, an artist village sets up shop in town with vendors, live music, free classes, outdoor food and drink, and daily exhibits. The five weekends from November to December feature thousands of holiday lights, holiday shopping, photo ops with Santa, and live entertainment. Additionally, a shorter spring event includes a three-day immersive weekend with artist showcases, demos, free art classes, and live music. Outside of these events, Sawdust offers year-round art classes and workshops taught by local artists.

Location and Transportation

The festival takes place about a mile from downtown Laguna Beach. A free open-air trolley runs every 30 minutes for attendees. For those who prefer to drive, limited metered parking is available in front of the venue for $2.50 per hour, and another parking lot linked to the trolley route charges a flat fee of $5.

Visitor Feedback

Past attendees appreciated the free shuttle and inexpensive parking, as well as the opportunity to view unique artistry. Some enjoyed the entertainment but noted that the art for sale was very expensive and the festival smaller than expected.

Hours

Days and hours for each seasonal Sawdust event vary. Check the official Sawdust Art Festival website for more details.

Tickets

Admission tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12; children ages 5 and younger can enter the festival for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the festival entrance.